Is St. Louis, MO cheaper than Nashville, TN?

Based on cost of living data, St. Louis, MO is 15.5% cheaper than Nashville, TN. This translates to saving $1165 per month.

What salary do I need in St. Louis, MO to live like I do in Nashville, TN?

If you earn $150,000 in Nashville, TN, you'd need approximately $136,019.417 in St. Louis, MO to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Nashville, TN and St. Louis, MO?

Housing in St. Louis, MO is 29.4% cheaper than in Nashville, TN. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,160/month in St. Louis, MO compared to $1,840/month in Nashville, TN.

How much can I save per month by moving from Nashville, TN to St. Louis, MO?

Moving from Nashville, TN to St. Louis, MO could save you approximately $1165 per month, or $13981 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

MoveNumbers

Nashville, TN

Tap to swap

St. Louis, MO

Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Current salary in Nashville, TN

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $1.2K/month moving to St. Louis, MO

$150.0K in your current city equals $136.0K in St. Louis, MO

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Nashville-Davidson-Murfreesboro-Franklin, TN area

Overall Cost

↓ 15.5%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$1,165

Savings

Annual Impact

$14.0K

Per year

Based on monthly living costs (rent, groceries, utilities, transport, healthcare). Home purchase prices shown separately below.

Nashville, TN

Population:689K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$489K

St. Louis, MO

Population:302K

Cost Index:84

Median Home:$145K

Nashville, TN

The Volunteer State

689K

Population

State Tax

No Income Tax

Climate

Humid subtropical

Notable Facts

•Music City USA
•Country music capital
•Healthcare industry hub

Major Industries

Music IndustryHealthcareTourismFinance

St. Louis, MO

The Show-Me State

302K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Missouri, this city has a population of 302K residents.

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Nashville, TN vs St. Louis, MO

Category	Nashville, TN	St. Louis, MO	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$2,651/mo	$1,871/mo	↓ $780less	29.4%
📦Other	$1,942/mo	$1,607/mo	↓ $335less	17.2%
🏥Healthcare	$607/mo	$527/mo	↓ $80.54less	13.3%
🚗Transportation	$1,284/mo	$1,216/mo	↓ $68.30less	5.3%
⚡All Utilities	$519/mo	$535/mo	↑ $16.39more	3.2%
🛒Groceries	$949/mo	$949/mo	→ $0	0.0%

🏠Housing

↓ 29.4%

Nashville, TN

$2,651

St. Louis, MO

$1,871

Difference

$780

less

📦Other

↓ 17.2%

Nashville, TN

$1,942

St. Louis, MO

$1,607

Difference

$335

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 13.3%

Nashville, TN

$607

St. Louis, MO

$527

Difference

$80.54

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 5.3%

Nashville, TN

$1,284

St. Louis, MO

$1,216

Difference

$68.30

less

⚡All Utilities

↑ 3.2%

Nashville, TN

$519

St. Louis, MO

$535

Difference

$16.39

🛒Groceries

→ 0.0%

Nashville, TN

$949

St. Louis, MO

$949

Difference

same

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

St. Louis, MO: St. Louis Earnings Tax$1,500/yr (1.0%)

Nashville, TN has no local income tax.

Local taxes are in addition to state income tax. Not all cities levy local income taxes.

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,600

To$910

↓ $690

1 Bed

From$1,680

To$950

↓ $730

2 Bed

From$1,840

To$1,160

↓ $680

3 Bed

From$2,350

To$1,490

↓ $860

Nashville, TNZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,320–$2,230/mo

St. Louis, MOZIP-level data

1BR range: $800–$1,480/mo

💡 Note: Rent prices are based on HUD Fair Market Rent data and represent median costs. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$7,952

Monthly in Nashville, TN

$6,705

Monthly in St. Louis, MO

$1,247

Difference

Home Values

Nashville

St. Louis

$489K

Median Value

$145K

↓ -2.1%

YoY Change

↓ -0.8%

↑ +32.1%

5-Year Change

↑ +10.9%

$320K - $1.16M

Price Range

$38K - $302K

Homes in St. Louis are 70% less expensive than Nashville

Calculate payment - Nashville Calculate payment - St. Louis

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↓ $7.9K

More taxes

Monthly Difference

$661

Less take-home

Effective Rate Diff

5.3%

Rate difference

Nashville, TN

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Tennessee State Tax

No state income tax

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 24.7%

$37.0K

Take-Home Pay

$9,416/month

$113.0K

St. Louis, MO

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Missouri State Tax

Effective: 5.3%

$7.9K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 30.0%

$44.9K

Take-Home Pay

$8,755/month

$105.1K

Additional Tax Information

Nashville, TN Tax Rates

Sales Tax:9.5%

Property Tax:0.7%

St. Louis, MO Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.2%

Property Tax:1.0%

💡 Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.